I had an avid pacifier user - 2 in fact. When I took my second's away, she looked like she was about to start sucking her thumb. I nearly cried as I recalled the agony I went through on weaning the pacifier. I thought about giving it back to her just to keep the thumb away, but then I just decided to wait and not worry too much. With a little distraction and some positive reinforcement we successfully got through 2 short periods of near- thumb-sucking (more like thumb licking, actually) and nail biting. I thought the nail biting was going to be the end of me for sure! My point is that when I started stressing a little less about the pacifier, the thumb, and the nails, she was easier to distract. Regardless, thumb sucking is a very natural habit. Most children naturally kick the habit around 4 to 5, but too much stress or negative re-inforcement can create power struggles and prolong the habit.
Both thumb-sucking and pacifiers are near and dear to my heart, as I have been researching and writing about these topics for the past few years. Awhile back I got together with 2 other moms, one a child psychologist with expertise in early child development and the other a SAHM to create a trifecta of doctor, psychologist and SAHM. Our goal was to get to the bottom of these issues and end the misery for all parents (myself included). So if you have any of the same concerns I had, please find us facebook - we're called pacifiers anonymous. The book is Pacifiers Anonymous:How to Kick the Pacifier or Thumb Sucking Habit. Good luck to you!!

I have had 2 DC in daycare, mainly since I didn't want to deal with headaches of a nanny. My friends with nannies have very bright and interactive kids. I don't think a DS will suffer developmentally if you have a good nanny at home. If the nanny is sweet, reliable, and your child is exposed to other kids for interaction, playdates, etc., then no worries. A ratio of 1:1 at home is better than 1:4 in DC IMHP.

OP - oops meant to say they are ages 2 and 3

Do you know about the natural water parks there? How old should DC be to go?

Hi all, my DD is 2 yo and loves the paci. Don't know how to get rid of it. Any ideas?

Hello, I am a local mom and a physician with a huge interest in pacifier-suckers and thumb-suckers, mainly because I had 2 raging pacifier suckers at home. I am currently working on a resource for fellow-parents and my patients.

There are mixed reviews about the benefits and risks of using the pacifier and the thumb. Some children have experienced difficulties related to the pacifier or thumb habit including breastfeeding problems, ear infections, changes in oral structure/dental health, and problems with weaning from either habit.

I have created 2 short surveys to investigate these issues. If I get enough answers in the survey, I can hopefully generate a report for everyone in this forum.

If you have or had a pacifier-sucker, click on this link or paste it in your browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Mj3TarS3NaGF1c3Epsph8Q_3d_3d

If you have or had a thumb/finger-sucker, click on this link or paste in your browser:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bVQDsMQJzMHcc7Jg6LfiGw_3d_3d


Thanks in advance for your help with this project!